For the advanced student at the Academy it’s going to be a great year. We’ve got the B.I.G. instructor camp on the 19th and 20th at SPACe.  This is a great opportunity for anyone above blue belt to come along and train the arts in depth and learn how to break them down and see different ways to teach and coach them. It’s still the best job in the World whether you do it full time or just occasionally. Teaching is the final step in your education, as the saying goes ‘ see one , do one , teach one’ The insights you get from helping others turns you into a great martial artist.  Plus you’ll be able to test your stuff against some of Europe’s best. Challenge and response as always is the way to grow. On a weekly basis we’ll also be having a Black and brown belt class on a Saturdays in Chingford at the Peter May sports centre from 11.00 until 1.00 pm. This will be both technical to cover the Black belt and second Dan syllabus but also a tough workout. Standards have to be maintained (or improved upon! ) See you there.

I’ve had a great time this last weekend teaching in Belfast on an anti racism focused seminar. I got to teach the kids something I haven’t done in years and really enjoyed it. They were an incredible bunch, sharp and quick learners full of fighting spirit. Excellent teaching by my friend Robert Cullinan as they all looked sharp and disciplined. One five year old in particular took me down with a tackle then proceeded to do it repeatedly. Full of fighting spirit he’d need the discipline that comes from training. When I gently fended him off with a jab he gave me one of the best round kicks to the thigh I’ve ever seen. Great stuff and real fun. The adults were easy meat by comparison most being MMA and Jiu Jitsu guys with a mix of thai boxing and wing chun added in. Lovely people all. We had great fun and I managed to chat to the local mayor regarding the positive effects of martial arts training. Mind you this was after I had advocated to the kids to ‘ break that arm properly’ .

The demonstration to launch our new club at Bancroft School Sports Centre in Woodford Green went really well. Thanks to all the Demonstration team who did a great job. This coming Thursday @ 7.00 there’s a free training session to launch the classes. This will be taught by bob. Then we’re back into our standard timetable. Come along or tell your friends if they live in that area.  Classes will be Tuesday and Thursdays to start and will be taught by Bob on a Tuesday and Steve Payne on  a thursday. We’ve had lots of interest so it should be great. For an introductory period feel free to train in either club if you’re already a Hoxton member.  Address is Bancroft’s School Sports Centre, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 0RF (entrance in Whitehall road near pedestrian crossing. )

Grading dates now in the events page. I’ve updated the events page with all seminars and gradings. We’ll be putting up some competitions too very soon. Next grading is 10th February and is aimed at those who missed the one before christmas.

Sad news. My friend and B.I.G  instructor  Steve Fan died recently after a battle with cancer. Steve was incredibly stoical despite huge challenges,  a man who exemplified spiritual values and fighting spirit.  A true gentleman he’ll be sorely missed by all of us who have had the pleasure of knowing him.

Happy new year. This year we’re introducing a new timetable. Classes will have a street based classic MMA focus and also a more modular approach so it’s easier to learn both JKD and Kali from the ground up.  The instructors will be doing tougher classes with more of a sweaty approach to get you fighting fit and ready for action. For those who’ve dropped out of classes due to work or moving come and get started back in the new year as we’re all starting from ground zero so it’s the best time to start.  If you’ve got suggestions on how we can make the club and classes better for YOU then drop us an email. It’s a team thing and we welcome you taking an active part in what’s happening.

We’re also opening a new school in Woodford Green at bancroft school sports centre. If this is near you you’re current academy membership means that you can train at either venue for the same price. We’re holding an opening demo on 25th January so if you know anyone who’s interested or lives in that area let them know. Join us on bob breen academy on facebook and twitter and we’ll keep you abreast of what’s happening day to day.

Let’s be the best we can be. See you in class. Bob

We’ll be hosting our traditional ‘ Mince pies and wine session’  on Tuesday 14th of December at 7,30. This will include a free open training session for all those who’d like to take part. It’s open to all members old and current. So if you’ve been out of touch or have moved but would like to pop in feel free either to train, drink and eat or do everything.  For old ex members we’ll also be having a free training session just before we close on tuesday 21st of December from 7.30 onwards then join us for a drink in Hoxton square afterwards.  Regarding the Christmas break we’ll be closed from the 21st and open again on Monday 3rd January at 6.30. Please note the new timetable for the new year which we think will be even more interesting for all of you. Seasons greetings to all of you and wishing you a happy healthy and prosperous New Year. Bob

2011 timetable.

Mondays 6.30 Knife defence.  7.30 JKD -MMA.  8.30 Thai boxing.

Tuesday: 7.30 JKD KICKBOXING .  8.30 JKD kickboxing-MMA.

Thursday: 6.30 JKD-MMA.  7.30 KALI Filipino boxing.  8.30 Stick fighting.

Congratulations to Carl Jackson who is once more British Stickfighting champion. This time Carl won the double stick having come second in the single stick division. He also got silver in the world championships in Mexico this year so is on a roll. Carl decided to concentrate on Stick after trying many of the other competitive avenues like BJJ etc. He’s put in the work based upon the basics he’d learned at the Academy and become one of the masters of this sport. As the man who originally introduced this type of competition to the UK and Europe I’m very proud of his attainment.

Many empty hands fighters don’t take up the challenge of Stickfighting thinking that it wont have much impact on their empty hands skills. However, Carl has shown just how wrong they are. First, he know how to deal with the competitive stress or stepping up to the line against an unknown opponent, a huge thing to have under your belt. Secondly, the impact on his empty hands has been phenomenal. Timing, distance and lack of fear plus a refined sense of position have transformed his game, making him a much more difficult adversary. Where to go from here? World champion in single and double?

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced martial artist there’s no time to get ahead of the new year resolutions than to start now! We are starting a new beginner’s class on Monday’s from the 25th of October so if you’re new to martial arts or have friends who would like to start then that’s where to go. The class will be taught by Bob Breen alongside Paul Clarke one of our most experience instructors.

If you have over a years recent experience in either Martial arts or boxing then come and do one of our Free intro classes on a Tuesday at 7.30. If neither of these times suit your work schedule come in and see us about organising a class schedule and training programme for you.

For those who want one on one training we have a number of instructors who provide this service.

If you’re into the idea of being the total warrior then STICK DAY this Sunday from 11.00 is an essential part of your warrior education. Stick fighting develops all of your skills. Sensitivity, Distancing, Understanding opening and closing lines, disarms etc.  Above all it trains your brain to be fast, much faster than empty hands training. We’ll be taking classical drills and ripping them apart and scavenging the good bits and showing you how to apply these in sparring (with both weapons and empty hands). We’ll also be working on chokes and choke defence both standing and on the ground plus disarm flows that will transform your disarming skills.  As always we’ll be applying all the skills we learn through padded stick sparring and also some helmeted sparring. If you’re a beginner don’t worry we’ll take care of you and give you lots to take home.

Last weeks grading was one of the best in many many years. This was like the legendary group we had in the late 1980′s. The seniors showed what the Bob Breen Academy is all about. There was a wonderful mix of technical excellence plus JKD flow. Just as we practice in the classes everyone flowing in the moment and not trapped by the techniques but liberated through understanding of them, knowing when to abandon the form and revert to the simple game plan we’ve been covering in all the classes. Thus we saw great Kali and jun fan techniques mixed in with spontaneous grappling/ chokes/ and intuitive striking. Wonderful. For all who were there as spectators it was a great night and very inspirational. My thanks to all the guys and girls for their hard training and understanding of the concepts I’ve been on about over the last year.

If you want to become one of the best integrated martial artists around then get on down to the classes and join the A team.